Frontline perspectives on the CT contrast
shortage: 5 notable quotes
Radiology Business,
by
Dave Pearson
Original Article
Posted By: john56,
5/12/2022 11:18:15 AM
U.S. healthcare is now a solid week into the CT contrast shortage of ’22, and common themes are emerging in adaptations at local hospitals and imaging centers. One is the wisdom of making up-or-down contrast and scanning decisions one patient at a time rather than as a blanket short-term policy.
Another is the commonsense call to reserve inventory for patients most in need while avoiding use of the term rationing.
A third might be the fingers-crossed expectation that the shortage will not drag on to where it becomes a crisis.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
lakerman1 5/12/2022 12:37:55 PM (No. 1153255)
The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is relatively simple.
If the patient has pain/tenderness at MvBurney;'s Point - (four fingers to the right of the belly button) elevated white blood cell count, and a differential showing elevated band cells, surgery is called for.
And if surgery shows a normal appoendix, take it out anyway, and do a limited exploratory.
Even Doc Adams on Gunsmoke, was doing appendectomies 150 years ago.
And just one more thing - the dye can cause what I am suffering with - arachnoiditis. If you take the dye, I will lend you one of my wheelchairs.
4 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Birddog 5/12/2022 1:00:27 PM (No. 1153277)
Geee...I guess "Medicine" was never practiced at all prior to CT Dye.
None of those issues it is used to diagnose were even known...no other way to spot them, none to treat them.
Or is the real issue that there is now a generation of medicos that don't know the "Once Standard" methods...just like they can't drive a "Standard" transmission in a clutch.
4 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
mc squared 5/12/2022 1:30:17 PM (No. 1153297)
We've relied on other countries, mostly China, to provide our most needed products. Democrats say Russia caused our oil shortage. ( or the Arabs...) What a stupid remark, and from the POTUS it's insulting.
We shouldn't be depending on anyone but ourselves to remain an independent nation.
It's one thing for our enemies to cut off our sneaker supplies, but mainstays like oil and medical supplies..?
6 people like this.
Ironically, one of my daughters graduates Saturday with a degree in radiology technology. She currently works at a hospital. When I showed her this article, she said their department has been back ordered for the media for a couple of months. They are now using IV dyes orally for the CT scans. It’s still safe and effective, but they have to add a sugared drink mix to make it more palatable.
4 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
DVC 5/12/2022 3:43:24 PM (No. 1153415)
So, once again - IF YOU BUY FROM CHINA, you put your entire country at risk.
NEVER buy anything from China. They are unreliable as hell. They can an will cut off critical supplies for political reasons.
Get that factory out of China, move it anywhere else, but the USA would be really good.
2 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Pook60 5/12/2022 5:13:50 PM (No. 1153486)
I have kidney stones from time to time. Before Obamacare, I could call the doctor's office and they would prescribe narcotics based on my history. After Obamacare, to get a prescription for narcotics, I am required to have a CT scan with contrast. It is so dumb. I've had dozens of stones and I'm the first one to know when I have more. I've had a few surgeries lately and I rarely use the prescribed narcotics for post operative pain. Now I'm stocked up for the next stones and I won't have to contribute to using contrast for no good reason.
0 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 5/12/2022 5:36:08 PM (No. 1153497)
Another shortage! That's what we get from relying on others instead of ourselves. We are going backwards folks. In all aspects of society. It's not by accident either.
Anyone else remember the Dem Congressman that went on a rant when Republicans criticized Obamacare: Don't get sick and if you do, die quickly? Looking at how healthcare is today, he might have been right.
There is only one healthcare plan. The DGS (Don't Get Sick) Plan.
1 person likes this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
kono 5/12/2022 7:21:34 PM (No. 1153573)
Filtering the contrast dye after the scan is hard on the kidney(s). So shortage and cost aren't the only reasons someone might not get referred for a CT scan with contrast, especially if they've had several contrast scans before, or if they only have one kidney remaining. (But there are already myriad justifications for opposing Obamacare, even without this additional reason.)
0 people like this.
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Comments:
For about 20 years, I was in the business of selling this product, for one of the companies mentioned (and their predecessor companies). Couple of things. 1. Due to our reliance on China for pharmaceuticals, there is an 80% reduction on these important drugs for imaging procedures that affect the major vendors in the USA (GE and Bracco). 2. When I was in this business, our company had a "state of the art" production facility in Puerto Rico (as did many other pharmaceutical companies, aided somewhat by attractive US tax laws). They went away and production moved to other countries, especially China. 3. And the word "rationing" for medical care raises its ugly head (without using the word). Thanks, Emperor Obama and Sleepy Creepy Crooked President Uncle Joe. Let's go Brandon!